In the last couple of years, measles has been talked about with renewed vigor, because this disease has begun to flare up much more often than before, and take human lives. Many believe that measles – this is a mild childhood illness, but an acute viral infection is extremely dangerous. Just think about these numbers: Measles kills 165,000 people worldwide every year!
And if it is dangerous for children, then it is doubly dangerous for their parents! Measles in adults often causes severe complications and is very easy to catch.
Is there any way to protect
2. Possible complications of measles in adults
3. Methods for preventing measles in adults
Routes of infection and symptoms of measles in adults
Like other acute viral infections, measles is transmitted by airborne droplets. At the same time, as we wrote above, it is very contagious – in scientific terms, her index of contagiousness (that is, infectiousness) is 95%!
That is, often one direct contact with the patient is enough to get sick yourself. And since children of kindergarten age (4-5 years) are most often sick, they become contagious for a period of 5-10 days after the onset of the rash.
And if their parents did not have measles in childhood (after that, a powerful immunity to the disease is formed) and, moreover, are not vaccinated, then the chances of getting infected are extremely high. Not without reason, over the past couple of years, the statistics of measles incidence among the adult population has grown tremendously.
How do you know if you have measles? The main signs of measles in adults are the same as in babies, but more pronounced and severe.
The onset of
measles in adultsis similar to the common flu, but very soon a specific symptom such as a rash is added.
Measles symptoms in adults:high temperature (38-40 °C);
- weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite;
- headache, photophobia;
- rhinitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- cough (dry, "barking"), hoarse voice;
- rash all over the body (face, limbs, trunk);
- spots in the mouth on the palate and inner surface of the cheeks (enanthema);
- possible confusion and delirium;
- intestinal disorder.
begins with an incubation period – For 1-3 weeks, a person may not suspect that he has become infected. This is followed by the catarrhal (prodromal) stage – 2-5 days (runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis) and immediate rash – about 5 days. And only then comes the stage of recovery, in which the rash brightens, and in its place light pigment spots appear, which will completely disappear in 7-8 days. Possible complications of measles in adults
Because
measles is much more severe in adultsthan in children, complications are much more common. Among them there are severe conditions that can lead to death or further disability of the sick person.
Possible complications ofORI in adults
– from mild to severe.
Complications of measles in adults:ENT diseases (sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, otitis media);
- tracheitis, bronchitis;
- pneumonia (including bacterial);
- conjunctivitis, keratitis (damage to the cornea of the eye);
- neuritis (inflammation of the optic or auditory nerve), which can lead to partial or complete blindness or deafness;
- enterocolitis (intestinal disease);
- lymph node involvement;
- heart damage (possible myocarditis);
- kidney damage (up to glomerulonephritis);
- liver damage (with hepatitis);
- meningitis and meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the membranes and brain substances causing brain and neurological disorders, as well as failures of higher cortical functions);
- acute sclerosing panencephalitis (brain damage).
- The last two – the most dangerous, as they lead to death in 40% of cases.
if you or your loved one have motor excitation, a sharp headache, nausea with vomiting, mental disorders, rigidity (increased tone and inability to relax) of the neck muscles, join the classic symptoms of measles, then immediately pay the attention of doctors to these signs! This can save a patient's life, because the sooner meningitis treatment is started, the higher the chances of success.
Although today's society is divided into two camps – opponents and supporters of mandatory vaccination, doctors insist that medicine has not yet invented another method of preventing measles (not only in adults, but also in children) than vaccinations.
The first
measles vaccine is given in childhood (in multiple doses). It gives immunity for 9-12 years. Over time, its effect gradually fades away, so in order to prolong the body's protection against the virus, it is necessary to carry out revaccination in adulthood – revaccination. For revaccination, a single vaccine (only with a measles component) or a combination vaccine (measles + rubella + mumps) can be used, at the request of a person.
To determine if an adult patient needs a booster, the doctor may refer the adult to a special blood test for the presence of antibodies to the measles virus (IgG antibodies).
The same test should also be taken by those adults who have not been vaccinated before (or do not know about it) and did not have measles in childhood. The level of antibodies in the blood will help the doctor make the right decision about the need or unnecessaryvaccination of a particular patient
. If contact with a patient with measles has already occurred, and the person wants to protect himself, then for prophylaxis, the doctor can administer anti-measles immunoglobulin. This drug is a synthesized blood protein that already contains antibodies. This will help build passive immunity for a period of about 2 months and reduce the risk of measles.
As you can see,
measles in adultscan be considered one of the most dangerous diseases. Therefore, the issues of its prevention should be taken very seriously.
Moreover, an outbreak of measles epidemics is expected again in the CIS countries next year. Don't neglect vaccination even as an adult
. It is better to be careful than to fight for health, and sometimes for life! Also, during the epidemic, follow the basic rules of prevention: avoid closed rooms with a large number of people, stimulate your immunity with a balanced diet, vitamins and sports. And at the slightest suspicious symptoms, contact the doctors, and do not self-medicate! We wish you a healthy autumn and winter!
Winter is coming: how to protect yourself from diseases
You might be interested: Perfect belly in 5 minutes a day!
Add a comment